Locus of control refers to the connections individuals perceive between their behaviour and what happens to them (internality). Those who believe what happens to them is due to luck, fate or chance are deemed to be external. Internal LOC is positively related to academic achievement, physical/mental health, self-concept and economic success. 

Funded by the John Templeton Foundation (PIs: Jean Golding and Stephen Nowicki). Staff: Yaz Iles-Caven, Steve Gregory, Genette Ellis.

This project analysed longitudinal data from ALSPAC to assess factors in the parents’ backgrounds that influence their level of LOC as measured in pregnancy, at 6 years and 18 years after the pregnancy. Similar analyses were carried out on the offspring measured at ages 8 and 16 years. 

The two main aims were: (i) to identify groups at high risk of externality for subsequent development of interventions to develop a more internally oriented population, and (ii) to assess the consequences of parental and child/adolescent LOC orientation on their development, achievements, health and behaviour.